Stroke and Social

Security Disability
Insurance
What you should know about
Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI)
Stroke is a leading cause of adult
long-term disability. Between 50 and
70 percent of stroke survivors regain
functional independence, but 15 to 30
percent are permanently disabled.
Some disability types include:

ParaIysis or movement robIems

5ensory disturbances (e.g., ain)

Language robIems

Thinking and memory robIems

motionaI disturbances
Post-stroke disability may leave
survivors unable to work, which can
lead to serious fnancial issues for
survivors and their families. Survivors
unable to work due to a physical or
mental impairment may be eligible for
Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI) benefts.
2
SSDI is a payroll taxfunded, federal
insurance program. It provides
income to individuals unable to work
due to a disability and guarantees
income if their condition does not
improve. Once retirement age is
met 65 or older recipients move
from SSDI to Social Security
retirement income.
Regardless of age, survivors are eligible
for Medicare benefts 24 months
after the date of entitlement to SSDI
cash benefts.
55Dl eIigibiIity
An individual is defned as disabled
if a physical or mental impairment
prevents that person from engaging
in any substantial gainful work and
the condition is expected to last at
least 12 months or result in death.
Medical proof is required. You must
have been disabled before reaching
full retirement age (65 to 67). In
addition, you must have worked
and paid into the program (payroll
taxes) for fve of the past 10 years.
What Is SSDI?
3
SSDI benefts include:

keguIar monthIy income
Receive a regular monthly payment
with annual cost-of-living increases.
A portion may be tax free.

Medicare benefts
Regardless of age, recipients are
eligible for Medicare benefts
24 months after the date of
entitlement to SSDI cash benefts.
Medicare includes Part A (hospital
benefts), Part B (medical benefts)
and Part D (prescription drug plan).

C08kA extension
If you receive SSDI, you may be
able to extend COBRA benefts
by an additional 11 months.
Benefts of SSDI
4

Long-term disabiIity (LTD)
benefts
Private LTD insurance providers
often require individuals to apply
for SSDI, and doing so can help
protect the ability to receive
LTD income.

Protected retirement benefts
SSDI recipients Social Security
earnings records are frozen during
the period of disability, potentially
increasing future Social Security
retirement benefts.

Dependent benefts
Dependents under age 18 may be
eligible for benefts.

keturn-to-work incentives
Receive return-to-work opportunities
while still receiving disability benefts.
5
The SSDI application process can be
challenging. It can take from two to four
years to receive benefts, but professional
representation is available to help. On
average, individuals with professional
representation are approved at higher
rates than those applying on their own.
When selecting representation, ask
the following questions:

Will they represent you at the
application stage? Look for
someone with experience at all
stages of the SSDI process, including
the initial application stage. The
early application process can be
very detailed and lead a person to
abandon the application.
Getting Started
6

What is the organizations
success rate?

Will the organization handle all of
your paperwork and fling, including
retrieval of medical records from
your healthcare professional? Will
they charge you extra for records?

Does the organization charge extra
for miscellaneous items such as
photocopying, travel and postage?

How will the organization monitor
your claim status and upcoming
deadlines, such as a scheduled
hearing?

How long has the organization been
providing SSDI representation?
Visit www.stroke.org/ssdi for more infor-
mation about the application process.
Allsup offers free SSDI eligibility
screening and evaluation
NSA.Allsup.com
888-841-2126
Allsup Medicare Advisor offers
Medicare plan selection services
NSA-AMA.Allsup.com
888-271-1173
7
Myths exist about fling for SSDI
benefts, often deterring individuals
from applying as soon as they are
eligible.
Myth: SSDI is only available to poor
or low-income individuals.
Truth: Income is not a factor. Applicants
must have enough credits based on
taxes they paid and work history.
Typically, if you worked fve of the past
10 years you will have enough credits.
Myth: There is a 12-month waiting
period after disability onset or leaving
a job to apply for SSDI.
Truth: You can and should apply as
soon as possible to receive and protect
all benefts for which you are eligible.
Myth: You need an attorney to fle
for SSDI.
Truth: You do not need an attorney to
fle for SSDI or to appeal SSDI denials
at the initial, reconsideration or hearing
levels. There are many advantages to
using a nonattorney representative.
SSDI Myths
Exposed
8
The following are tips for adjusting to
new fnancial demands after a stroke:

Create a fnancial plan. Establish a
budget to spend down assets in the
least harmful way. Use savings or
other resources before withdrawing
from retirement accounts.

Maintain heaIth insurance.
This is critical to help pay for
post-stroke care.
Contact your mortgage comany
or IandIord. If you see yourself having
diffculty paying your mortgage or
rent, be proactive and begin discuss-
ing your options. Research local and
federal housing assistance programs.*

5eek assistance with utiIities, food
and other necessities. There are
hundreds of federal, local and
private resources available in
most communities, including
neighborhood food pantries and
federally funded programs.*
*Find local resources by calling 2-1-1 or
visiting www.resources.allsup.com.
Post-Stroke
Financial Planning
9
NotE thE tIME WhEN aNy SyMPtoMS
FIrSt aPPEar. If given within three
hours of the frst symptom, there is an
FDA-approved clot-buster medication
that may reduce long-term disability
for the most common type of stroke.
LEarN about MorE SIGNS oF
StrokE at
www.stroke.org/symp
Warning Signs of Stroke
Learn the many warning signs of a
stroke. act FaSt and caLL 9-1-1
IMMEDIatELy at any sign of a stroke.
use FaSt to remember warning signs:
FacE: ask the person to
smile. Does one side of the
face droop?
A
arMS: ask the person to raise
both arms. Does one arm drift
downward?
S
SPEEch: ask the person to
repeat a simple phrase. Is their
speech slurred or strange?
T
tIME: If you observe any
of these signs, call 9-1-1
immediately.
F
NotE thE tIME WhEN aNy SyMPtoMS
FIrSt aPPEar. If given within three
hours of the frst symptom, there is an
FDA-approved clot-buster medication
that may reduce long-term disability
for the most common type of stroke.
LEarN about MorE SIGNS oF
StrokE at
www.stroke.org/symp
Warning Signs of Stroke
1-800-5Tk0K5
(787-6537)
www.stroke.org
Allsup is pleased to be a sponsor of
National Stroke Association.
All publications are reviewed by National
Stroke Associations Publications Committee.
2011 National Stroke Association
1/11 BF1
National Stroke Associations mission
is to reduce the incidence and impact
of stroke by developing compelling
education and programs focused on
prevention, treatment, rehabilitation
and support for all impacted by stroke.
CALL 9-1-1 lMMDlATLY lF
Y0U 5 0N 0k M0k 5lCN5
0F A 5Tk0K.
888-841-2126
www.N5A.AIIsu.com